Drug Information

Calcitriol Oral capsule, liquid filled

What is this medicine?

CALCITRIOL (kal si TRYE ole) is a man made form of vitamin D. It helps your body keep the proper levels of calcium and phosphorus and maintain healthy bones and teeth.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

kidney disease

parathyroid disease

receiving dialysis treatment

an unusual or allergic reaction to calcitriol, vitamin D, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

vitamin D

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

calcium supplements

cholestyramine

corticosteroids

digoxin

ketoconazole

magnesium supplements

phenobarbital

phenytoin

phosphate-binding agents

some antacids

thiazide diuretics

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have important lab work done while you are taking this medicine.

You will need to be on a special diet while you are taking this medicine. Do not take any non-prescription medicines that have vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, or calcium including antacids, unless directed by your doctor. Limit the amount of calcium you get each day as directed. The extra supplements can cause side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bone pain

increased thirst

increased urination (especially at night)

irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure

redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

seizures

unexpected weight loss

unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

dry mouth

headache

loss of appetite

metallic taste

stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Calcitriol Oral solution

What is this medicine?

CALCITRIOL (kal si TRYE ole) is a man made form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary to maintain the right amount of calcium in the body for strong bones and teeth. It helps your body keep the proper levels of calcium and phosphorus and maintain healthy bones. This medicine is used to treat low calcium in the blood and in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

kidney disease

parathyroid disease

receiving dialysis treatment

an unusual or allergic reaction to vitamin D, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon, or container to measure the dose. Household spoons are not accurate. You may take this medicine with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

vitamin D

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

calcium supplements

cholestyramine

corticosteroids

digoxin

ketoconazole

magnesium supplements

phenobarbital

phenytoin

phosphate-binding agents

some antacids

thiazide diuretics

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have important lab work done while you are taking this medicine.

You will need to be on a special diet while you are taking this medicine. Do not take any non-prescription medicines that have vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, or calcium including antacids, unless directed by your doctor. Limit the amount of calcium you get each day as directed. The extra supplements can cause side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bone pain

increased thirst

increased urination (especially at night)

irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure

redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

seizures

unexpected weight loss

unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

dry mouth

headache

loss of appetite

metallic taste

stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Calcitriol Solution for injection

What is this medicine?

CALCITRIOL (kal si TRYE ole) is a man-made form of vitamin D. It is used to treat patients with low levels of calcium who are on chronic renal dialysis.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

too much calcium or vitamin D in the blood

an unusual or allergic reaction to vitamin D, calcitriol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

vitamin D

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

calcium supplements

cholestyramine

corticosteroids

digoxin

ketoconazole

magnesium supplements

phenobarbital

phenytoin

phosphate-binding agents

some antacids

thiazide diuretics

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will need to have important lab work done while you are taking this medicine.

You will need to be on a special diet while you are taking this medicine. Do not take any non-prescription medicines that have vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, or calcium including antacids, unless directed by your doctor. Limit the amount of calcium you get each day as directed. The extra supplements can cause side effects.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

bone pain

increased thirst

increased urination (especially at night)

irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure

metallic taste

redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

seizures

unexpected weight loss

unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

constipation

dry mouth

headache

loss of appetite

pain at site where injected

stomach upset

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

Calcitriol Topical ointment

What is this medicine?

CALCITRIOL (kal si TRYE ole) is a man made form of vitamin D. It is used on the skin to treat plaque psoriasis. This medicine is not a cure. It helps reduce the redness, thickness, and scaling that occur with psoriasis.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

high level of calcium in the blood or urine

high level of vitamin D in the blood

kidney stones

sunburn

an unusual or allergic reaction to calcitriol, vitamin D, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for external use only. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash your hands before and after use. Apply a thin film of medicine to the affected area. Do not cover with a bandage or dressing unless your doctor or health care professional tells you to. Do not use on healthy skin or over large areas of skin. Do not apply this medicine to your face, eyes or genital regions. Use your medicine at regular intervals. Do not use it more often than directed. Do not stop using except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

calcium supplements

thiazide diuretics

vitamin D

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

blood in the urine

breathing problems

constipation

increased thirst

nausea, vomiting

pain in the lower back or side

pain when urinating

unusually weak or tired

worsening of psoriasis

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

increased sensitivity to the sun

skin irritation

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze or refrigerate. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.